District council plans to legally challenge the government over the set up of the new ‘super council’ in Bucks has been rejected by a judge.

This morning leader of Wycombe District Council (WDC), Katrina Wood, announced Wycombe, South Bucks and Chiltern district councils’ request for a judicial review of the set up of the new unitary authority has been declined.

However, the Tory chief says the ongoing deadlock over unitary negotiations “may be at an end” as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government “is keen to find an amicable solution” to the districts' concerns.

In January, the districts leaders announced they would be taking legal action against the government amid concerns over the set up of the new council.

At the time the leaders criticised the government’s draft orders – legislation outlining the processes required to move to a unitary authority.

They slammed the “undemocratic” decision to appoint leader of Bucks County Council (BCC), Martin Tett, as the leader of the shadow executive – which is tasked with setting up the new authority.

Cllr Wood said: “I believe that the districts’ message to MHCLG following the publication of the draft orders was clear, and I am delighted that it has listened and acted.

“We now have an opportunity to dissolve all five Buckinghamshire councils and set up the new unitary district authority via genuinely democratic process.

“We are very grateful to the minister and his aides for the time they have given us, and the consideration they have given our comments.

“Whilst I cannot publicly release details of our ongoing negotiations, I want to re-iterate that we at Wycombe feel very positive about the proposals coming from MHCLG.

“I have faith that the minister and his aides will honour the suggestions they have put forward to address our concerns, and I will now be working with my colleagues and counterparts at the other Bucks districts to ensure that the proposals become promises, and will then be included in the final orders.”

During separate cabinet meetings in January, SBDC and CDC approved plans to launch legal proceedings and agreed the cost, which could have been up to £33,000 per council, would come out of general reserves.

Cllr Wood faced criticism for making the decision on behalf of WDC in private.